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When reviewing a real estate listing, it’s important for buyers to pay close attention to the days on market (DOM), which is the length of time the home has been for sale on the multiple listing service. In many cases, higher-than-average DOM properties may indicate that the home has been overpriced or that expensive repairs are needed, reports Realtor.com®.

However, that’s not always the case. Depending on the local housing market, a listing may be considered “stale” if the DOM is more than 21 days. In other areas, homes may take as long as three to five months to sell because of the uniqueness of the location, time of the year or other factors. Perhaps an offer on the home had been accepted but fell through when the would-be buyer failed to qualify for the mortgage loan.

Identifying buyer turn-offs such as an outdated interior, poorly maintained landscaping or peeling exterior paint may also help you determine if there’s a deal to be made on an otherwise sound house.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2019 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

Home buyers most often begin their house hunting with a long list of must-have features. They typically hope to find their new home in the best location, at the lowest possible price and with lots of modern upgrades. Once buyers start looking at the available homes within their price range, however, they tend to make practical compromises that they know they can live with.

Location vs. square footage is often the first compromise buyers must consider. Living closer to the city center might mean buying a smaller home than what can be purchased for the same price farther out.

Buyers with school-age children tend to want a big backyard but, depending on the cost of land, they may have to rethink just how large is large enough for an outdoor play area and a swing set. One compromise might be looking for a home with a smaller backyard that’s within walking distance of a park.

The architectural style of the house is the most important feature for some buyers. Others are more willing to be flexible with the exterior design in exchange for an additional bedroom or bath inside the home.

The size of the garage or carport and whether it’s attached or detached is another feature that buyers may have to keep an open mind about in order to get a home in their preferred location.

By working closely with a real estate professional, you’ll gain knowledgeable expertise when it comes to prioritizing your list of desired features for your new home. Feel free to give me a call or email today and I can help you with this!

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2019 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

Here are some tips to help smooth the way toward working more page-turners into your daily routine.

Reduce friction. Eliminate excuses by keeping a book or e-reader with you, or download an e-book reader app on your smartphone. Get comfortable with reading just a few pages at time. This will help you maximize downtime while waiting for an appointment, eating lunch or whenever you’re tempted to scroll through social media.

Maintain the momentum. Keep a long to-read list and buy new titles before you need them so you’re never stuck wondering what to read next. Having a pile of unread books gives you plenty of options and keeps you motivated. Choose topics you’re interested in and feel free to put down books that don’t resonate with you. To keep you from getting stuck, try reading multiple books at once. For example, if you’re reading about a complex subject, also read something story-driven, such as a novel or memoir.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2019 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

If you’re finding yourself in a end-year slump, these top-rated reads are sure to keep you motivated all the way through the end of the year.

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted WorldIn his newest book, Cal Newport addresses the challenge of remaining focused despite the constant distractions of this modern age. His insight teaches you how to train your mind and master your work ethic once and for all.

The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful GroupsWhy do some groups seem destined for greatness? Daniel Coyle dissects the ins and outs of the most successful teams on the planet. You will find actionable steps you can implement in your work environment to inspire success.

Great At Work: How Top Performers Do Less, Work Better, and Achieve MoreAs a clear, data-based guide to on-the-job success, Morten Hansen’s latest book provides seven practices linked to high performance. His thoughtful advice will help you integrate them into your own life.

Brave Leadership: Unleash Your Most Confident, Powerful, and Authentic Self to Get the Results You NeedIn this empowering read, Kimberly Davis delivers an engaging and influential guide to overcoming personal obstacles, so you can become a courageous and confident leader.

Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five DaysIf you work with a team, this guide is invaluable. Formerly of Google Ventures, Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky and Braden Kowitz recorded their proven method for creating a comprehensive solution to a business problem in just five days with the right team.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2019 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

Spring schedules are often filled to the brim with extra travel, sports, recitals, and school activities. Evaluate your household’s needs and choose tools that can help you stay organized.

· Create a shared calendar. This could be a paper calendar, a dry-erase board posted in the kitchen or a digital shared calendar. This ensures that all family members know what to expect each week and can see the big picture for the month.

· Color code your family. To organize your calendar, assign a color to each family member, and record activities in corresponding colors for quick reference.

· Use organizational apps. Check out apps like Cozi or Wunderlist to share to-do lists, grocery lists, reminders, and more.

· Have a weekly scheduling session. Adults and older children can gather briefly to discuss the upcoming week’s activities and any changes to the schedule.

While there’s no magic formula for success, research shows that highly successful people tend to cultivate similar habits. Here are a few to consider:

Read more. According to Grant Cardone, author of The 10X Rule, successful CEOs read an average of 60 books per year. Try listening to audiobooks during your commute or while running errands to fit more learning into your schedule.

Prioritize relationships. Surround yourself with positive, ambitious people and look for mentors who can coach you along the way. Be generous with your time and expertise as well.

Work out consistently. Tom Corley, author of Rich Habits, found that wealthy individuals exercise an average of 30 minutes, four days per week.

Journal each day. Many CEOs say keeping a gratitude journal positively impacts their perspective. Writing down motivational ideas, goals and habits is an empowering way to organize your thoughts as well.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2019 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

In addition to a down payment, here are some other expenses home buyers need to be aware of. According to WorkableWealth.com, “Just because you’re spending hundreds of thousands on a home doesn’t mean you should be comfortable throwing thousands of dollars at fees.”

Be sure to ask your lender or Realtor® any questions you have concerning the fees you’re being charged. In addition, your real estate agent may be able to help you negotiate the cost of some of these home-buying expenses.

Home inspection: Inspectors will look for any signs of structural issues, mold and leaks. They also assess the condition of the roof, gutters, HVAC, water heater, plumbing, electrical system, and more.

Appraisal: Mortgage lenders require an appraisal report to ensure that the property is worth the sales price agreed upon by the buyer and seller.

Loan application: Thelender will charge fees for running your credit report and processing your application. Be sure to ask for an itemized list of these charges.

Mortgage loan origination fees: These upfront costs, which are associated with underwriting and funding the loan, are quoted as a percentage (typically 0.5 to 1.5 percent) of the total amount borrowed.

Private mortgage insurance (PMI): Lenders generally require buyers to put down at least 20 percent of the purchase price of the home. Otherwise, PMI is required to protect the lender if the buyer should default on the loan. The PMI should be automatically canceled once the buyer reaches 78 percent of the loan-to-value ratio.

Tax service: This fee ensures that the seller’s tax payments on the property are up to date and that the buyer’s payments are correctly credited.

Property survey: This report outlines the boundaries, dimensions and major features of the property.

Title services: Title companies charge fees to cover the title search, notary costs, government filing fees, and more to ensure the buyer receives a clear title to the property.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011- 2019 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.